Two Years Later, Salazar Returns in New Downtown Location

Beloved Cincinnati Restaurant Opens Tomorrow

CINCINNATI (November 18, 2025) – Nearly two years to the day after announcing that Salazar restaurant would be temporarily closing following a decade in Over-the-Rhine (OTR), renowned Chef Jose Salazar has announced plans for the opening of his celebrated eatery’s new, expanded location. Situated in a 7,300-square-foot space on the ground floor of Cincinnati Center City Development Corp. (3CDC)’s 101 W. Fifth Street development just below Paycor’s new headquarters, Salazar will officially open to the public tomorrow.

The biggest change patrons will see from the former space is a drastic difference in the restaurant’s size. The new location, which is nearly five times the size of Salazar’s former home on Republic Street, features expanded seating, three private dining rooms, and the ability to host events for up to 50 people.

“Opening Salazar in a significantly larger space is a transformative step for us,” Chef Jose Salazar said. “It unlocks a wide range of possibilities — not only as a restaurant, but as a venue for special occasions, celebrations, corporate events, and more. We now have the capacity to host larger gatherings, something that wasn’t feasible before. We’re excited to bring Salazar to life in the Fountain District and look forward to what the future holds in this new space.”

Beyond the benefit of increased space, the relocation will significantly enhance operational efficiency for Chef Jose Salazar, who also owns and operates three other nearby restaurant concepts — Safi, Mita’s, and Daylily. Mita’s, an award-winning restaurant known for its vibrant Spanish and Latin American cuisine, is located across the street from Salazar’s new home.

“There’s incredible momentum in the Fountain District right now, making this the perfect moment for Salazar’s grand opening,” said Christy Samad, EVP of Civic and Commercial Space Activation at 3CDC. “We’re preparing to launch the new Elm Street Plaza, which will feature an expanded ice rink, and a full slate of winter and holiday programming is just beginning at Fountain Square. Adding another exceptional dining destination within walking distance of both spaces is a win for the neighborhood and the community.”

Just as before, Salazar will remain focused on working with local farmers and artisans, making fresh pastas and other items in-house, but will put more emphasis on seafood. Whether celebrating a special event or big milestone or simply stopping by to enjoy a night out with a delicious meal, the menu will include options to accommodate any occasion. It will feature items like prime ribeye, seafood towers, and familiar favorites from the original Salazar menu like the “lil fried oyster slider” and more. For those looking for a more casual night out, the new space also features a large bar.

The interior of the space, designed by local firm Indio, features custom Rookwood tiles, modern yet warm touches, and art curated by Jayne Menke of Artonomy. Salazar worked with Furlong Building on the buildout of the new restaurant.

Salazar will be open Monday thru Thursday from 5pm – 10pm and Friday & Saturday from 4pm – 10pm. The restaurant will be closed on Sunday. To book a table or reserve a private dining room, please visit https://www.salazarcincinnati.com/.

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